Polling for videographer input

1. I use a 100mm for the HPX, 75 for the HVX.
100mm- Manfrotto 326 head is smooth as silk but I have constant trouble with the tilt lock - super annoying. The floor spreaders are horrible. The legs are difficult to adjust.
75mm- Sachtler DV-6. I bought these used and love love love them. I am beginning to have issues with the horizontal drag not working properly, but they may just need to be cleaned.

Mike
 
Zero Gravity

Zero Gravity

Thanks to everyone that gave their input. VariZoom does have a new product called Zero Gravity that does help with some of the problems listed in this forum.

The Zero Gravity tripod head actually got best of show award at NAB 08 for its category by DV magazine and also by Videography magazine. The unit fits on 75 and 100mm ball tripods. The unit is $699. but introductory sale has been $499. or $699. with a set 100mm tripod legs.

I will have a video demonstration online soon but until you can see the website stills. By seperating the pan and tilt mechanism the Zero Gravity allows you to exactly balance the camera so it will hold any position without any drag whatsoever. The result is perfect fluid movement with the highest degree of tilt control so you can tilt lower and higher and even do a 360. The nose dives of sinking camera because of a slipping drag control will never happen again.


ZeroGravityPage

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Of late I have found that while my larger tripods and fluid heads are great for the heavy cameras they are useless for any movement on the much smaller hd cams like the canon hv30, hg10, hf10 making what wudl be a great compact setup to shoot some stock footage with a small camera into a useless endeavor since almost all the fluid heads are designed for far more weight than these cameras provide.
 
Can you add a weight to a smaller camera?

I've got an HV30 and eventually plan to use a 35mm adapter rig and/or bigger camera, so I'd like to get a tripod I can use now and grow with. I'm thinking of a Libec 38 or 55. (The 55 has drag control, does it make a big difference?)
 
Tom McKay said:
1. How many people use a 100mm bowl tripod?

2. How many people here wish they had a better tripod system for their DV / HD camera.?

3. What can't you do with your tripod?

Constructive input only. Please do not bash a brand or promote a brand this is strictly a request for information on the three questions posed.

Feel free to private message.

Thanks,

Tom
Click to expand...

100mm bowl absolutely. A claw/bowl tripod really is the only way to work quickly. I've used plenty of leveling plates and heads and prefer to use 100 or 150mm bowl on many applications. I'm not a fan of the 75mm for most cameras.

I have a 3066 and use the Sachtler and Vinten and OConnor (2060) regularly. The 3066 now has interchangable springs, but internal loading would be nice in a modestly-priced lump.

Most sticks cannot get as low as my Manfrotto or the Cardillini Tri-Hat (for 35mm or larger HD rigs). I'm not a big fan of either, but they are at least adjustable height-wise. No sticks I've ever used get low enough and standard or baby standard film sticks are pretty awful.


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